The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-11-13
DOING WE'LL IN MILWAUKEE
Plumbers ana Coopers Remarkably su,
cessful and the idea Spreads Fast.

P1umbers and Coopers Remarkably Sue
eessfui and the Idea Spreading Fast.
| MILWAUKEE, Nov 0.--Co3peration In Mil.
waukee has been tried at different times since
1869. but never with any approach to success
until lately. The first introduction OF the prin-
ciple was In 1869. whom the operatives in the
st. Paul Railway shops started cooperative
grocery store. Stock was issued, and after q
time q manager was appointed. The enter
prise had fltful career extending over two
years. and then succumbed to dissensions.
The next attempt at cooperation was made
| by the striking cigarmakers in 1882. Between
three and four hundred men went out in the
strike. and finding their places filled. started
cooperative cigar factory. 1t had an exist
ence Of nearly two yoars. One by ono the OPP
eratives withdrew. rs they could find work else
where, UNTIL in 1884. the few remaining gavo
up the struggle. and the factory was closed.
The scheme was never even partial success
jealousies hastened It's dissolution.
Tho next and most successful attempt at CO.
operation grew out ofthe strike. in 1885. OF the
journeymen plumbers, caused by the dis
charge Of union man In one OF the shops.
While the men were out they were supported
by the Plumbers International Association.
At the end OF a month both sides were rs de-
termined as ever. The drain on the treasury
of the International Association had been con-
siderable in the mean time. Seeing this. the
Executive Board considered the question Of
starting cooperative shops to furnish employ
mont to tho idle men. Five hundred dollars
was appropriated for tho purchase OF stock.
and the first shop was started. This began
one OF the most successful attempts at CO.
operation in the State. Now the plumb
ers have four shops. the central ono
being also q supply store for the branches.
The past year the shops did a business Of $780,
600. and furnished employment to fifty plumb
crs besides foremen. clerks. and manager.
The cooperative shops compete successfully
with the older establishments. They have re-
duced tho price Of plum bling very materially.
while their work is such as to give them the
preference with local architects. The BUSH
moss is under the general supervision of a man
aGer now r. J Malcolm, who is elected by tho
Executive Board Of the International Associa-
ton: Ho has charge of the making Of all con-
workmen receive union wages and II there is
any profit at the end Of the year It Is divided
shops has foreman and clerk, and keeps two
sets of books. One set is In use while tho other
and nses pad
from the main shop each Saturday night.
s F the @ Thsy Rep had bd
goods but only one or two houses now refuse to
class In the country. and the first time the In
tegasstional a AssocIatop eyer eyer tried The plan:
cess q this attempt was placed beyond doubt.
The shop Ard have in stock property
success comes the cooperative coopers' shop.
This. too was born Of strike two years ago.
increase on the price Of barrels. The strike
was not SUCCESSFUL and the men found them
SELVES o Of work shop
this the eoopers secured shop 100 by SO feet,
AS In tho case OF the plumbers the men are
uno9 p %eT out and s sE on e
annses %ho looks after
and handles all the money The shop is an un
repaid. and another shop. 140 by 40 feet and
two stories high. is about to be erected. The
At $1,000, The shop owes part OF its success to
RS which has ares from
are progressing favorably. but are yet In
tentative state.
lishment, which is said to be making money
tor rs members a cooperative hardware store.
snd tailor shop another child 81
same. The employees own the stock. they, are
phiu wdSes' ~ tue pIouto ~ any tueTo
be, are divided equally.
Then there ia a cooperative coal yard. which
was started last summer. The stock In this is
divided into $40 shares. with a capital stock OF
100000. No ono person can hold over 500
worth Of stock, and Is entitled to only one Vote
Tho yard is doing good business. but is still
in the experimental stage.
All Of these enterprises. with the exception
OF the plumbers and cooperative tnilors. have
been started under the auspices Of the Knights
Of Labor from whom they have had moral and
financial aid. But two. the plumbers and coop
n n n
The principle is. however, spreading among
tho workingmen, and should those enterprises
now undergoing the tost OF practical business
succeed they will be followed by others.